about

Ten years on the NYC music scene may be behind the new swagger and sexy menace that opens Litman’s devastating Primetime, a six-song passion play whose shrewd title accrues ironies with each front-row observation of the city’s dream-making industries—how they engulf and distort, turn people into product, lovers into enemies, life into a non-stop command performance. A young Elvis Costello might have penned the stylish, sex-as-combat opener “That’s On You” (“If tears are your weapons, bring the rain”). A survivor Kurt Cobain might have launched the performer’s inquisition “Debutante,” whose laser-guided disses end up implicating the singer (“Ten o’clock it’s time to hit the stage/Now you remember how your bills get paid”). Whether due to time or urban angst, Litman’s perceptions and wit have sharpened to the point that the acerbic, sometimes brutal lyricism on Primetime matches the expected deadly musicianship and sure sense of pop songcraft--all of which are bathed in a noisier electronic ambience (think Yankee Hotel Foxtrot) and immersive sound design that frames a hardboiled noirish observer whose heart, by the final tracks, beats all too painfully for what’s lost and still worth saving.

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That was your last chance, I told you
It’s only taken me all year
You always think I’m trying to scold you
but this is sincere

now get the hell out of here

I stack the cards and you swat them away
intentions as crooked as the lines on your face
so go and tell yourself a story
gather what you need to carry it through
if it ain’t what you planned
then baby, that’s on you

It’s always a stick up or a shakedown
if tears are your weapons, bring the rain
I didn’t ask you your opinion
but I’ll play your games

you said you wanted some pain

I stack the cards and you swat them away
intentions as crooked as the lines on your face
so go and tell yourself a story
gather what you need to carry it through
if it ain’t what you planned
then baby, that’s on you

I stack the cards and you swat them away
intentions as crooked as the lines on your face
so go and tell yourself a story
gather what you need to carry it through
if it ain’t what you planned
then baby, that’s on you

Track Name: Debutante

10 o’clock it’s time to hit the stage
Now you remember how your bills get paid
make sure it looks sincere and keep a straight face
make sure you get choked up in the right place

You know the natives are restless
go throw some fuel on their distress

everyone's waiting
the dogs want their meat
so go say the right words
make them jump to their feet
and nobody cares if it’s real or it’s not
all the lights are up go take your best shot

Give them a dose of your biography
Heart warming tales of how it used to be
Don’t be afraid of self-rightous moralizing
all that they want is dime store prophesizing
lie through your teeth, they’ll believe what they wanna

They need a shot at redemption
so go and make an impression

everyone's waiting
the dogs want their meat
so go say the right words
make them jump to their feet
and nobody cares if it’s real or it’s not
all the lights are up go take your best shot

everyone's waiting
the dogs want their meat
so go say the right words
make them jump to their feet
and nobody cares if it’s real or it’s not
all the lights are up go take your best shot

Track Name: Nothing

On my back there’s a sign called September
with the wind in my face and a drink in my hand
but you wouldn’t understand

I have tried everything I can think of
but you’ll never seen things the way that I do
But its not about you

Wouldn’t you know it takes a special kind of talent to slam shut every open door
Just when it looks like I can reach out there and grab it
I’m picking a fight over nothing
and I’m making her cry over nothing
and I’m taking my time all for nothing, nothing at all

Always guessed that by now it’d be over
Never stressed the details and never kept score
never wanted more

Drip by drip every moment was scattered
just a slip of the tongue and a brush of the hand
and an awkward dance

Wouldn’t you know it takes a special kind of talent to slam shut every open door
Just when it looks like I can reach out there and grab it
I’m picking a fight over nothing
and I’m making her cry over nothing
and I’m taking my time all for nothing, nothing at all

All I want is to savor the moment
while there’s moments to savor

Wouldn’t you know it takes a special kind of talent to slam shut every open door
Just when it looks like I can reach out there and grab it
I’m picking a fight over nothing
and I’m making her cry over nothing
and I’m taking my time all for nothing, nothing at all

Track Name: Primetime

We’re not on television
drop your smug pretension
this is just you and me alone
enough with all the preening
and all the self deceiving
take your makeup off and put down your phone

You bathe yourself in sanctimony
hurling your invective every night when you’re in front of the lights
could it be your soul is hurting
as you’re sitting up there smirking
your producers trying to gin up a fight

once you go live you’re never gonna find
a way for you to come back home
and all the tricks and trappings
and the gifts that you’re unwrapping
are never gonna fill that hole

Look, I get its just a small town thing
and I should stop trying to understand the reason or rhyme.
We both gain nothing after wading in
talking past each other in the circus tent of prime time

You gather up your boogie men
load ‘em on the cards and then you’re really gonna give them a scare
with all the protestations and your public demonstrations
and your finger poking holes in the air

They hang on every word
you’re giving them what they deserve
Casandra on the flickering screen
have you lost all your perspective
is there nothing that’s objective
is this your idea of living the dream

once you go live you’re never gonna find
a way for you to come back home
and all that you’ve discovered in the weakness of another
is never gonna make you whole

Look, I get its just a small town thing
and I should stop trying to understand the reason or rhyme.
We both gain nothing after wading in
talking past each other in the circus tent of prime time

once you go live you’re never gonna find
a way for you to come back home
And all the good intentions
which you probably shouldn’t mention
are never gonna soothe your soul

Look, I get it’s just a small town thing
and I should stop trying to understand the reason or rhyme.
We both gain nothing after wading in
talking past each other in the circus tent of prime time

Track Name: Go

was it enough or did it go too far
I know the good parts all by heart
Fatal Attraction never earned its name
Don’t act so surprised it wasn’t just a game
I’m not the same
and you’re to blame
you’re to blame

I wasn’t trying to interrupt the show
but you never know how these things go
you were the brightest thing I ever saw
now all I got left is this unsettled score
an unlocked door
it’s such a bore
such a bore

Reach all the way back ‘till the check gets cashed
add a little bit of truth to cut the stash
every story needs a little sturm and drang
det tired of the dream then split the scene
keep your memories vague to buff the sheen and go
just go
just go

Was it the fantasy that turned you off
Did you know it was over when the actor caughed
scatter the pieces far as you can throw
keep tryin’ to believe it wasn’t just a show
a way back home
but you’re alone
all alone

Reach all the way back ‘till the check gets cashed
add a little bit of truth to cut the stash
every story needs a little sturm and drang
det tired of the dream then split the scene
keep your memories vague to buff the sheen and go
just go
just go

Track Name: Don't Slow Down

I couldn’t help but be flattered when you asked me to dance Everybody is waiting for someone to discover
I knew that I shouldn’t even give you a chance
walk away with a smile and keep what’s left of my honor

The flashing light on the wall is nearly driving me insane Trying to render a judgment but the court is adjourned The silence is punctured by the creak of the bed frame Have I learned

One’s lost and one’s found
and the wreckage always litters the ground take the exit if you must
but don’t slow down

Always dreaming of everything I’d do when I escape
Maybe fly to LA and form a new religion
freedom always looks brighter through the eyes of an inmate then the doors are flung open and the sun blurs your vision

The flashing light on the wall is nearly driving me insane The embers are smoldering and the house has been burned My eyes are wide open and my heart beats like cocaine have i learned

One’s lost and one’s found
and the wreckage always litters the ground take the exit if you must
but don’t slow down

Always thought I’d be more than just this solitary visionary
damned if I’ll move before I know just what it is the I’ll be looking for

The flashing light on the wall is nearly driving me insane The embers are smoldering and the house has been burned My eyes are wide open and my heart beats like cocaine have i learned

One’s lost and one’s found
and the wreckage always litters the ground take the exit if you must
but don’t slow down

Track Name: Nothing (Live in Minneapolis w/ Joe Brent)

On my back there’s a sign called September
with the wind in my face and a drink in my hand
but you wouldn’t understand

I have tried everything I can think of
but you’ll never seen things the way that I do
But its not about you

Wouldn’t you know it takes a special kind of talent to slam shut every open door
Just when it looks like I can reach out there and grab it
I’m picking a fight over nothing
and I’m making her cry over nothing
and I’m taking my time all for nothing, nothing at all

Always guessed that by now it’d be over
Never stressed the details and never kept score
never wanted more

Drip by drip every moment was scattered
just a slip of the tongue and a brush of the hand
and an awkward dance

Wouldn’t you know it takes a special kind of talent to slam shut every open door
Just when it looks like I can reach out there and grab it
I’m picking a fight over nothing
and I’m making her cry over nothing
and I’m taking my time all for nothing, nothing at all

All I want is to savor the moment
while there’s moments to savor

Wouldn’t you know it takes a special kind of talent to slam shut every open door
Just when it looks like I can reach out there and grab it
I’m picking a fight over nothing
and I’m making her cry over nothing
and I’m taking my time all for nothing, nothing at all

Track Name: That's On You (Live in Minneapolis w/ Joe Brent)

That was your last chance, I told you
It’s only taken me all year
You always think I’m trying to scold you
but this is sincere

now get the hell out of here

I stack the cards and you swat them away
intentions as crooked as the lines on your face
so go and tell yourself a story
gather what you need to carry it through
if it ain’t what you planned
then baby, that’s on you

It’s always a stick up or a shakedown
if tears are your weapons, bring the rain
I didn’t ask you your opinion
but I’ll play your games

you said you wanted some pain

I stack the cards and you swat them away
intentions as crooked as the lines on your face
so go and tell yourself a story
gather what you need to carry it through
if it ain’t what you planned
then baby, that’s on you

I stack the cards and you swat them away
intentions as crooked as the lines on your face
so go and tell yourself a story
gather what you need to carry it through
if it ain’t what you planned
then baby, that’s on you

Track Name: Go (Live in Minneapolis w/ Joe Brent)

Was it enough or did it go too far
I know the good parts all by heart
Fatal Attraction never earned its name
Don’t act so surprised it wasn’t just a game
I’m not the same
and you’re to blame
you’re to blame

I wasn’t trying to interrupt the show
but you never know how these things go
you were the brightest thing I ever saw
now all I got left is this unsettled score
a distant shore
and you’re the door
you’re the door

Reach all the way back ‘till the check gets cashed
add a little bit of truth to cut the stash
every story needs a little sturm and drang
get tired of the dream then split the scene
keep your memories vague to buff the sheen and go
just go
just go

Was it the fantasy that turned you off
Did you know it was over when the actor coughed
scatter the pieces far as you can throw
keep tryin’ to believe it wasn’t just a show
a way back home
but you’re alone
all alone

Reach all the way back ‘till the check gets cashed
add a little bit of truth to cut the stash
every story needs a little sturm and drang
det tired of the dream then split the scene
keep your memories vague to buff the sheen and go
just go
just go

Track Name: Primetime (Live in Minneapolis, w/ Joe Brent)

We’re not on television
drop your smug pretension
this is just you and me alone
enough with all the preening
and all the self deceiving
take your makeup off and put down your phone

You bathe yourself in sanctimony
hurling your invective every night when you’re in front of the lights
could it be your soul is hurting
as you’re sitting up there smirking
your producers trying to gin up a fight

once you go live you’re never gonna find
a way for you to come back home
and all the tricks and trappings
and the gifts that you’re unwrapping
are never gonna make you whole

Look, I get it’s just a small town thing
and I should stop trying to understand the reason or rhyme
We both gain nothing after wading in
talking past each other in the circus tent of prime time

You gather up your boogie men
load ‘em on the cards and then you’re really gonna give them a scare
with all the protestations and your public demonstrations
and your finger poking holes in the air

They hang on every word
you’re giving them what they deserve
Casandra on the flickering screen
have you lost all your perspective
is there nothing that’s objective
is this your idea of living the dream

once you go live you’re never gonna find
a way for you to come back home
and all that you’ve discovered in the weakness of another
is never gonna soothe your soul

Look, I get it’s just a small town thing
and I should stop trying to understand the reason or rhyme.
We both gain nothing after wading in
talking past each other in the circus tent of prime time

once you go live you’re never gonna find
a way for you to come back home
And all the good intentions
which you probably shouldn’t mention
are never gonna save your soul

Look, I get it’s just a small town thing
and I should stop trying to understand the reason or rhyme.
We both gain nothing after wading in
talking past each other in the circus tent of prime time